Congress moves MLAs from Bengaluru resort to prevent defection

This is the victory of every Kannadiga who voted to uproot the corrupt & divisive politics of Congress. "I am keen to do it as soon as possible", he said.

Shah's wish came amid hectic efforts by the saffron party to secure the support of some MLAs from rivals Congress and JD (S) as its strength of 104 is still eight short of the majority mark of 112 in the 224-member state Assembly.

Amid a power struggle in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday spoke with JD (S) supremo H D Deve Gowda over phone and is understood to have discussed the prevailing political situation in the state.

"The election outcome, regardless of who controls the government, already shows the BJP remains popular, they can swing states that are otherwise challenging to win, and still have a superior political strategy", said Shailesh Kumar, Asia director at political risk firm Eurasia Group. However, Union ministers Prakash Javadekar and Anant Kumar attended the ceremony. In a statement, Kumaraswamy said to NDTV, "Modi government is misusing institutions of the central government". The MLAs [majority of whom] are on one side and the Governor is on the other side. He said this would result in horse-trading and corruption. "Why are you anxious he is in touch with us?" he said. To paraphrase prime minister Modi, if the Congress loses Karnataka, it will be reduced to a "PPP" party - Punjab, Puducherry, and parivaar (family).

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala acknowledged the receipt of a letter by BJP: "I am in receipt of your letter dated 16th May, 2018 informing me that you have been elected as the leader of the BJP legislative party of Karnataka". To dodge defection attempts in the elections gone by, Congress MLAs have been taken to the Eagleton resort while the JD (S) MLAs are staying at the Shangri-La hotel in Bengaluru. Majority are not in a position to face people if they join together and that's what they communicated to us. In his maiden presser, he said that he was confident of getting the numbers during the floor test.

Amid high drama, BJP legislature party leader BS Yeddyurappa was on Thursday morning sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka following an overnight high-voltage legal battle in the Supreme Court. Vasu's supporters alleged that Dhruvakumar too has been in contention for the Chamaraja ticket, and that, on being denied, had campaigned for Independent and JD (S) rebel K Harish Gowda. People will not accept this. Later in the evening on May 15, Congress reached out to JD (S) and offered an unconditional support to form the government with JD (S) Karnataka Chief HD Kumuraswamy as CM. Further, Kumaraswamy quoted as saying that they are going to screw him (Singh) and therefore to protect himself he is taking this step. I know they are threatening MLAs. Some two MLAs saw it on TV and called me. Those who are crorepatis will talk about crores.

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